After India’s four-wicket semi-final win over Australia to advance to the Champions Trophy decider, coach Gautam Gambhir has denied claims his team were shown favouritism.
Citing security concerns, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) refused to play any Champions Trophy matches in neighbouring Pakistan, despite them being the host nation.
It led to all of India’s group stage matches being held in Dubai, as well as the semi-final and now the final, but Gambhir refused suggestions his side had been given an unfair advantage in the tournament.
With all games at the one venue, India were able to tailor their squad for the Dubai wicket and faced no travel throughout the Champions Trophy, in contrast to other teams having to travel thousands of kilometres between matches.
“First of all, this is as neutral a venue for us as it is for any other team,” Gambhir said in his press conference following Wednesday’s win.
“We have not played here. I don’t remember which tournament we played in this stadium last. And in fact, we didn’t plan anything like that.
“There’s a lot of debate about the undue advantage and all that. What undue advantage?
“We haven’t practised here even for a day. We’re practising at the ICC Academy. If you look at the wickets there and here, the difference is between the ground and the sky. Some people are just perpetual cribbers, man.
“They’ve got to grow up. So, I feel that there was nothing like we had any undue advantage or we had planned something like that.”
Steve Smith and Alex Carey led the Australian batsmen with knocks of 73 and 61 respectively in the semi-final, but it was not enough as India chased down the total of 264 with four wickets and 11 balls to spare.
They will take on the winner of tonight’s second semi-final clash between South Africa and New Zealand in the final on Sunday.
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